Lagos – The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has
pledged to play a leading role in the collaboration among aviation stakeholders
to address major challenges in the development of the air transport sector in
Africa.
This is contained in a statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs,
FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, to newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.
The statement said the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, stated this while
receiving the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Sherif Fathy, in Lagos.
It said that the theme of the conference was “Economic sustainability of
African airports: Challenges and Opportunities”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dunoma stated this at the 55th Airports Council
International (ACI) Africa board meeting and Regional Conference and Exhibition taking place in
Cairo, Egypt, between April 8 to April 14.
The statement explained that the Nigerian airports were playing important international roles in
linking the most populous country in Africa to the rest of the world.
“This is evidenced with the construction of four new terminals to increase its capacity for facilitation
and processing,” it said.
“The statement said Dunoma said the federal government was attracting private investors
to partner and work with the government to explore the various opportunities in the sector.
The statement quoted Angela Gittens, the Director-General of ACI worldwide, as saying that the
conference would address improvements in aviation safety and security, in the light of new threats
affecting the industry.
It noted that the President of ACI Africa, Pascal Komla, in his welcome address, noted that the conference
provided a unique opportunity for aviation executives, experts and exhibitors from across the globe.
“This will enable us to network, share information and forge a common vision for the future businesses of African airports,” it said.
NAN reports that the 55th ACI Africa Board meeting and regional conference and exhibition presented a platform for industry experts to come together and explore the challenges faced
by the continent.
This would enable aviation stakeholders to find solutions that would boost the economic growth of Africa. (NAN)